A Visitor (Benson, Erinyes and Canus) @dee @meerclar

[troylus]

Canus sat in the sitting room, guitar over his knees, surrounded by piles of paper and technical equipment. He hadn’t noticed that he was frowning slightly with concentration, which would have worried him greatly if he’d been aware of it. Frowning and various other facial expressions increased the chances of wrinkles, he believed, but he was so engrossed in what he was doing that he didn’t notice.

The super high quality noise reducing headphones he was wearing meant that he also didn’t notice when a car pulled up in the circular drive and the chauffeur opened the door for his parents to get out. He started with surprise when the butler opened the door and first his mother and then his father strode into the sitting room.

His mother, the lovely and much admired Mrs Severina Estuarian, looked particularly beautiful today, he noted. He was pretty sure he’d never seen her wear the same thing twice, but today she was wearing a gown of shimmering colours, that shifted sensuously every time she moved. Her plunging neckline danced the fine line between slutty and seductive perfectly; even a fraction lower and it would have been obscene, even by the current Capitol standards.

His father, Mr Patricius Estuarian, was far more modestly attired, in a custom made suit of deep burgundy, with a gold ascot pinned at his throat. Neither adult smiled upon seeing their youngest son.

“What the devil are you doing in here?” his father demanded in the same tone he used to chastise new interns at work. Both he and his wife worked in administrative roles in the government, and he’d recently been promoted to the lofty position of Permanent Under-Secretary of State.

Canus slipped his headphones off his ears, the sound of the melody he’d been playing back over to check for the slightest errors, drifted from the small speakers. “Sorry, Pat, missed that, what did you say?”

Severina bristled, making her whole beautiful dress shake. “Your Father, whom you shall address as sir, or Father, and nothing else, asked what you’re doing in here. You have a perfectly adequate music room to waste your time in.” Her lips curled at the thought, clearly displeased by his interest in music.

Canus shrugged and jotted down a few ideas on a notepad. “I had it coming through the room’s speakers before. Different spaces have different acoustics and I wanted to see what it sounded like in here.” He made sure not to mention that he’d tried both of their separate studies before choosing the sitting room, finding both of them annoyingly locked. He knew they would be angry to know he'd even tried to enter their workspaces.  The rooms claimed all of their home time, and really were a secondary office, so they could make sure they never actually left work for more than a few brief hours of sleep every day. 

Patricius directed the butler to clear away Canus’ things. “Get this room shipshape, immediately. Mr Tiero will be here any moment.”

“As in THE Mr Tiero, Mr Benson Tiero, the Game Maker?” Canus was excited. He couldn’t recall ever having an actual celebrity of that standing in the house before.
“Yes, he.” His mother sounded like she was getting more than a little irritated. “Off you go now, Canus. You’re not welcome here now.”

Several servants stepped in to assist the butler, and Canus followed after them, fretting about the way they were carrying his highly sensitive equipment. His father’s voice followed him down the hall, “Do not let me see or hear you, Canus Canelinques Estuarian!” The boy halted shuddering at the use of his full name and then hurried after the servants to keep an eye on things.

Once it was all packed away to his satisfaction, he couldn’t seem to settle back down to his task. Instead he wandered around, hoping to get a glimpse of the Ex-head game maker, without attracting his parent’s ire. The Butler gave him a stern look and he casually walked upstairs to the bedrooms. He stopped by his sister’s room, busting to tell someone the exciting news of such a visitor.

He rapped his knuckles on her closed door, opening it just a few inches to call in. “Hey Erin, guess who the old folks are hosting for afternoon tea? I’ll give you twenty guesses, but I bet you won’t manage to figure it out.”

[ᕙʕ•ᴥ•ʔᕗ]

Benson stared at the note in his hand, hoping his glare would either burn a hole through the letter or cause it to spontaneously combust. He wouldn’t have been surprised if it did, considering the weird contraptions his fellow Gamemakers thought up. There was a reason why they were Gamemakers: the creativity to design an event that their fellow citizens would discuss for years or at least for a year. And with it came the crazy inventions and creations that could erupt only from a mind so wildly imaginative, it was honored by giving them a position.

But the note did not flare up, did not destroy itself. It was just another piece of paper Benson would have to file under the list of things to do. He still had to draw up some muttations for the Gamemakers while also reviewing some of the underlings’ schematics—they always get it wrong, letting their imagination run wild—but first, he had to attend meetings. He always dreaded meetings, but none of the Gamemakers’ meetings could be worse than his meetings with the politicians of Panem. A meeting with them usually meant a battle of wits while trying not to bruise their precious little egos. If he had the choice, Benson would have avoided any of those type of meetings, but the Gamemakers had decided that he was one of the less inflammatory Gamemakers and thus sent him to do the job quite often.

Looking through the file his assistant had given him, he read through the personal profile of both Ms. Severina Estuarian and Mr. Patricius Estuarian. Both sounded like a real piece of work in his mind, but a job was a job and he had to do the unpleasant thing. It was also too delicate of a topic to send in the Gamemaker-in-training he had taken under his wings. Shaking his head before leaving the file on his desk, he stood up and grabbed his jacket from his chair. Buttoning the three buttons as to show “respect” to the Estuarians, he chose to forgo the tie that was laid out on his desk. I’m too old to be rebellious, and yet, this feels rather good. Giving the tie a small smile, he abandoned it on his desk and left for the Estuarian’s home.

It was a large house, most likely one with many rooms and all sorts of opulence. Benson shook his head, failing to understand what exactly possessed the politicians to think they needed all of this. And yet, he had grown up in a home similar to this with two parents who wanted him to be the best that he could ever be. And now I’m a household name. I guess they did their job. He walked up the many steps before finally reaching the door. Get this over with. There’s still a lot to do in the office. Before he could knock on the door, a servant opened the door for him with a questioning look as if the appointment with the Estuarians caught the servant by surprise.

Clearing his throat, he took the time to grab a glimpse of the interior he would soon be stepping into, wondering what information they could provide him. “Hello, I’m Benson Tiero. I believe I had sent a notice earlier this week about my visit?” The servant merely nodded before letting him step in and then directed him to a room. An elegant tea set was laid out on the table and he was directed to sit down in a plush chair that conveniently matched the interior. He was joined not too much later by both Estuarians. Compared to what they were wearing, Benson felt like he was wearing underground street clothes.

“It’s very nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Estuarian. There’s a lot we need to discuss for the 72nd Games.” He sat back down after shaking their hands and promptly laid out the papers that required signatures before the plans could be carried out. “As always, we appreciate your assistance for these Games. To have such wonderful contributors for this event helps us plan better Games each year. Just sign here, please.” The meeting continued on as such: Benson giving them words coated with honey and the Estuarians drinking it up. If Benson had his own way, he would have been straight to the point, but he knew the delicacy of this matter and knew better than to be himself. When it came to politicians, he had learned how to be political.

Finally, with the last signature, he stood up and shook their hands before tucking the papers in a folder in his bag. “Again, I cannot thank you enough for all that you have done. And we greatly appreciate the financial contribution you gave as well.” The servant came back to lead him to the main door, but before he could reach it, a sound came from somewhere upstairs. It was not Benson’s responsibility or his place to become curious of such strange music and yet he had stopped to look up. “Mr. Tiero,” the servant had asked, but Benson raised a finger as a request for him to wait. “Can I be of assistance?” he asked the girl and boy who were looking at him from above.

BENSON TIERO | CAPITOL | STUART TOWNSEND

[meerclar]

Erin, displeased at being interrupted while sorting through her nailpolishes for the perfect shade to match her new shoes, hadn't humoured Canus. She'd instead turned on him a perfectly practised look of scorn and derision which very effectively hid her actual interest.
'I don't need twenty guesses, idiot. You're so desperate to tell me that I don't even need one.' She smiled triumphantly at the look on his face, 'So go on, tell me who has you so excited.'

[troylus]

Canus fiddled with the panel on the wall and music filled the room. It was a piece he was working on for Mr Argyris and his Games recap video company, and Canus needed to hear it play so that he could spot what was slightly imperfect with it. Sometimes he found that listening while doing other things and just letting the mind ponder on something else let him hear things that he otherwise didn't perceive when he was listening intently.

Erinyes was right, of course. He couldn't stand to hold it in any longer, and once the track was playing he spilled the beans in a gush. "Oh fine, be no fun. It's Mr Benson Tiero! You know, the Game Maker? He was the head game-" he cut himself off, realising how ridiculous it was to be explaining to his sister who the incredibly famous person was.  He knew she'd know, and he was being silly to go on.

Canus wanted to go and try once more to catch a glimpse of the man, but was even more worried about getting caught now that the Butler had already caught him once snooping around.  He needed Erinyes to be there, so that he'd have any chance of his parents forgiving the transgression.  He reached for her arm, giving it an excited squeeze. "Come on, let's go watch from the bannister.  We haven't done that since we were five and six years old.  Remember how awestruck we were watching all the guests arrive for parties in all their finery.  I reckon this is even better than that though. Come on, sis."

[meerclar]

Satisfied that she had put up enough of a show of disinterest in Canus's news, Erin pushed herself to her feet. She'd had years of practise pretending not to be affected by things that she really cared about, and shrugged to him nonchalantly. 'Alright, but we've got to look much cooler than we did back then. We don't want to look like we're standing out there just trying to catch a glimpse of him. How embarrassing would that be?'
She paused in front of Canus, reaching out to turn one of his carefully crafted hair spikes back into place. 'How long will be be here? Do you think I have time to change my outfit? I suppose best not to risk it. I'd need to shower and redo my makeup...' She shook her head and left the room, assuming that Canus would follow.

On the landing she easily bossed her brother about, posing them both at the top of the staircase in a manner that seemed plausible and natural, and also enticing. The sound of the music still playing in her bedroom surrounded them and over it they could just hear the muffled sounds of their parents in discussion with the Game Maker through the closed door. The doors of the house were thick enough that no actual words carried to them.
'I can't believe how pathetic you are,' Erinyes remarked to Canus cuttingly, as she flicked her hair over one shoulder to make it sit in a cascade and frame her face pleasingly. 'Loitering on the staircase hoping to be noticed. I'm only sitting here with you because watching you is slightly more interesting than homework.' It wasn't true. She was eager to see the Game Maker herself and found herself leaning forward for a better look when she heard the door below them being opened and Benson Tiero himself strode across the floor underneath them. Erinyes inhaled happily, and was about to make an 'accidental' that would cause the Game Maker to look in their direction when he stopped on his own and turned his gaze up to look at them. She found herself staring back mutely, forgetting in the moment the smile that she had been practising for half an hour while they waited on the stairs.
Then Benson spoke. She had no idea what to say, and the first desperate thought in her mind was the hope that Canus would answer for them. The second, a moment later, was that nobody, particularly her brother, EVER find out that she had thought the first.

[troylus]

Canus felt a thrill of elation when he realised that THE Benson Tiero was speaking to him.  The game maker didn't look quite as Canus had expected he would.  He was dressed quite simply, but elegantly.  In his mind Canus had pictured someone so important and creative as to coordinate and devise such a wonderful games to be more outlandish in their appearance.  He ran his gaze up and down a few times, not meaning to stare and be rude, but more soaking it all in so that he could emulate the look later and describe in in excruciating detail to all his friends at school.  

He cleared his throat to reduce the risk of his voice coming out as a squeak.  That would be far too humiliating.  Thankfully it came out confident and melodic, showing him to be the owner of the voice playing on the music track that had attracted the older man's attention to start with.

"Mr Tiero, what a delight to meet you in our home.  My name is Canus and may I introduce you to my sister, Erinyes Estuarian." Canus held his sister's hand and walked her elegantly down the stairs.  "To what do we owe this pleasure?"  He prayed silently that his parents wouldn't walk in now and disturb them.  he knew that the butler who was still standing to the side of Benson would be sure to inform them and he would be in a great deal of trouble for disobeying his father's direct orders, but it seemed worth it to him.  This was an EX HEAD Game maker, after all.  Contacts like this could make his whole career producing music for the game themselves one day.

[ᕙʕ•ᴥ•ʔᕗ]

They were not close enough for Benson to tell if they were excited, nervous, happy, or any possible emotion they might have been experiencing, but he could tell that the girl—rather pretty in her own rights—was unresponsive to his words and that the boy—the epitome of excitement—was more than prepared to speak to him. Trained to be a proper Capitolite while oozing an air of someone who wanted to break from his parents’ stiff expectations, the boy was well-trained with his introduction. The boy led his sister down the stairs until they were on the landing and Benson could get a better look at them. His primary assessment had been correct, but having them stand at the same level of him made it easier for him to read what was in their eyes.

The boy, Canus, spoke for him and his sister Erinyes, and Benson inclined his head toward them as a gesture of acknowledging their presence. In truth, he was ready to rid himself of formalities, but the last thing he wanted was the children to tattle to their parents, even though Benson had a suspicion that that was the last thing they would want to do. “I’m here on business. Your parents have been generous with their support these past few years, and as I assume you already know, the Gamemakers are busy preparing for the next Games.” Benson turned towards the servant who had been leading him to the door and gave him a smile. “If you don’t mind, I think I would like to speak to Canus and his lovely sister Erinyes. I can see myself out when we’re finished.” The servant gave him a sustained look, debating on whether he should say something before choosing to keep his mouth shut and walked away.

“Well, now that we’re alone, I take it you two might have some questions?” Benson was never guarded about his answers, unless his work permitted him otherwise. There was no other reason for Capitolites to approach him otherwise. He was far from a household name now that his time as a head Gamemaker was over, but that didn’t mean that people ignored him completely, especially when they wanted to wrestle out some top secret that even he wasn’t privy to. “But first, I have a question for you. That music—“ he gestured his head towards the floor upstairs, “—I take it that that is your music? I’ve never heard something with a melody quite like that.” His dark eyes switched from brother to sister, trying to see who would be the first to answer.

BENSON TIERO | CAPITOL | STUART TOWNSEND

[troylus]

Canus found it utterly impossible to contain his delight and utter thrilling excitement that Benson was asking about HIS music.  This is it, he thought, feeling his heart beating so hard he felt it might break a rib. Be cool, Canus, and just answer the man like a professional.  Not a babbling psychotic teenager.  You can do it.


Before Erin could get a word in Canus spoke, too busy sounding cool and collected to bother with false humility.  "That's my music, Mr Tiero. Good, no? A piece I've been working on for Mr Magus Argyris.  Do you know his company? They make recap videos of the games and I've been approached for a possible internship with them." Without pause, not daring to wait and see if Benson approved of what he was saying he continued, "My long term goal is to write for the Games.  No offence, Mr Tiero but most of the music used in the current broadcasts seems to be a bit repetitive and not evoking of emotion.  Lots of fanfare and not much else, I find.  Doesn't really speak to the audience.  Don't you agree?"

[ᕙʕ•ᴥ•ʔᕗ]

Benson admired this boy’s enthusiasm. There was something about it that felt authentic, as if he truly enjoyed this music rather than putting on a face that he enjoyed it. After meeting the boy’s parents, it was extremely…refreshing. While Benson didn’t think the music as good, he was definitely drawn to it and would have wanted to listen to more if he wasn’t there on official business. Benson nodded his head solely, the name of Argyris slowly processing in his mind. He knew of an Argyris who worked in the music industry but had never had the chance to become personally acquainted with him. “Ah yes, I’ve heard of his company. Congratulations on the internship. Your parents must be pleased.” If he knew anything about the boy’s parents, Benson knew they were anything but pleased.

He couldn’t help himself at the boy’s comments about the music used in the broadcasts. He chuckled to himself as he contemplated on what the boy was saying. “Well, you must not fault them. The music is not meant to be evoking emotion; it’s meant to represent something timeless, something official. Perhaps that’s why it seems so repetitive to your ears.” Benson looked at the girl, amazed that she hadn’t said anything yet. Perhaps she was still in shock or was trying to compose herself, Benson would never know. He looked back at Canus before giving him a smile. “But if the day ever comes that you do write for the Games, I’d be very interested to hear what you have to offer.” It was not an impossible meeting. Benson wasn’t young, but he wasn’t old either and he still had enough years in him to still be a Gamemaker by the time Canus was able to work with the Games’ sound management.

BENSON TIERO | CAPITOL | STUART TOWNSEND

[meerclar]

Erinyes had held her tongue, waiting to see if Canus would embarrass himself, before deciding if she would weigh in on the conversation. Seeing that her brother's forward comments hadn't offended the Game Maker, she flicked her hair to let it fall over her shoulder the way she knew flattered her face and rested her hand on her hand on Canus's shoulder in a manner both patronising and caring.
'You mustn't mind my brother, Mr Tiero. He's an artist, so the music speaks to him in certain ways and he always seems to just say whatever he thinks about it.' She turned slightly to look at her brother, 'Canus, you should gift a copy of your latest recording to Mr Tiero. I know you have some in your room. Why don't you run up and get one?'
Glancing back at the Game Maker, 'If you have a moment to wait, that is. I'm sure you must be hideously busy with meetings and planning.'

[troylus]

Canus felt a little uncomfortable at the mention of the internship.  He hadn't meant to imply he'd already secured the job - it was something he was still working on getting, but he was hopeful.  He decided not to correct Benson, and hoped he wouldn't see this as being deceptive if he should find out later.

When Benson said that he shouldn't fault the musicians Canus started to open his mouth to object passionately, but bit his tongue instead once more.  He agreed wholeheartedly in the power of music to evoke emotion, but Mr Tiero was right.  The music they played in the games was timeless and gave the event a great deal of importance and pomp.  Canus was a fan of pomp when it was the right Occassion and he agreed that the games were such an event.  Again he didn't explain that he'd meant the other music, not the National Panem anthem that was played and the related refrains, but the music played over other parts of the presentation.

His sister's hand on his chest brought him back to the moment and stopped him on his wild mental ramblings.  He didn't want to rush off and fetch a copy of his music right away, unless the Game Maker said it was alright. Mr Tiero had said they could ask him ANY questions and Canus wasn't going to pass up on that opportunity.  His mind was now rushing with all the questions he wanted to ask him.   

"Would you say that is what the Games is about, Mr Tiero? Not our entertainment, but truly a serious and ceremonial event that should not be taken so lightly? I have to say I think most people of my generation see it as entertainment, first and foremost.  Something to titillate and excite the public of the Capitol, to wager on and gossip about. Do you think that is a problem endemic in our society?"

[ᕙʕ•ᴥ•ʔᕗ]

Ah, she speaks, Benson thought to himself amusingly. The girl was truly her mother’s daughter—proud, carrying herself as a true Capitolite but not afraid to use her words as a weapon. If the girl played her cards right, there was no doubt that she could easily advance in the society through her words. Benson waved his hand mindlessly as she apologized for her brother and then sent him to get a recording. “It’s really no problem. I’m not on a deadline right now and I do enjoy conversing with the citizens of the Capitol,” he said politely, questioning what that girl would tell her parents. While the boy seemed like he was ready to break free of the bubble his parents had placed around him, the girl—well, she knew how to put on a good show.

The boy didn’t run off like Benson had thought he would. Instead, he planted his feet firm and asked more questions, questions that Benson knew that he would have to be careful about. This was no private conversation in an empty training hall; no, he was speaking in a residential home with servants who could speak. One wrong move and he could find himself quickly without a job and possibly a head. “Do not get me wrong, the Games are a form of entertainment, but you should not forget their true purpose: a reminder to the districts of their betrayal to the Capitol. We have to remind them that the Games is a product of their rebellion, that they were the ones who caused this. Do you not think that this is a serious event?”

“I do not think it is a problem, so to speak. It is an event and as with most events, depends on viewership. Why shouldn’t the Capitol see it as entertainment? If we must commit to this serious reminder, then we must make it so that people want to view it.” It was the most honest Benson could be without revealing too much. He didn’t want to talk about how the betting and gossip had disgusted him. In its purest form, the Games was an event where children died and Capitolites placing—no, it would do no good to reveal that. He did not discredit the Games themselves—if anything, he did find the positive in them—but some of the things the Capitolites had obsessed over, well, Benson did not share the same lens as them.

BENSON TIERO | CAPITOL | STUART TOWNSEND

[troylus]

Canus hung on Benson's every word, utterly fascinated by what he was saying.  He loved the way the Game Maker made both entertainment and the formal gravity of the event seem to blur together seamlessly. And he couldn't agree more.  Canus decided to make his music a blending of these two seemingly disparate purposes, but try and make it sound as if they were one and fit together harmoniously.  

Seeing that Benson wasn't rushing off he realised he could risk running up to his room and back, hopefully without the game maker leaving.  "I'll just run and fetch you a copy of my music, Mr Tiero, if you don't mind waiting a little longer, please?" He looked to his sister, "Perhaps you could invite Mr Tiero to sit in the second parlour while I'm gone?"

It wasn't the done thing to put such an important guest in a 'second' anything room, but Canus didn't want to risk his parents still being in the first sitting room and running into them, calling their little discussion to a halt. Without waiting for a reply from either his sister or Benson, he rushed back up the stairs. He grabbed a copy of each of his albums, and on a whim he included the music he was mixing for Magus.  He made sure each copy had his business card enclosed, so that Benson could have his people contact Canus should they want to. Then he hurried back to the others.

[meerclar]

Erinyes escorted Benson to the second sitting room as politely as she could. Her manner, indeed, implied that anyone who was ANYONE used their second parlor to entertain guests. And if they didn't, then they soon would be. And certainly the brandy that she offered him wasn't the second best. She wasn't supposed to help herself to her father's best brandy, but she also wasn't supposed to be secretly entertaining a Game Maker in their house.
Besides, if she was caught, their parents would blame Canus for the whole idea, and for steering Erin wrong. That's what usually happened.

Sitting opposite him, waiting for Canus to return, Erin was reluctant to voice her opinion on the games. Benson clearly had his own ideas on how people should view the games. She wasn't willing to voice her own opinion until she was certain she wouldn't be alienating such a powerful man.
She asked him a question instead. Men loved to show off their knowledge, she knew. "Mr Tiero, I wonder, do you think that the games have their desired outcome? Do the districts remember the horrors that their actions, greed and selfishness caused? I do hope so, but you would have a better idea than I."

[ᕙʕ•ᴥ•ʔᕗ]

It was another busy day yet Benson couldn’t help but want to indulge the two children. They were the new generation, aiming to contribute to the Capitol with their skills and interests. If anything, it was refreshing to talk to them, because behind their trained presences was the aura of children, excited for the world. Perhaps in a few years, once they’ve spent several years in the industry, they would lose that excitement and become the groveling figures of their parents. But for the time being, Benson enjoyed their company and accepted Canus’ invitation to wait for him in the second parlor. A second one, hm? They sure pulled out all stops for this residence.

Erinyes was the one who brought him to the parlor. He could see the struggle in her eyes but kept his mouth shut until she asked whatever had been going through her mind. “The desired outcome? What would you define as the desired outcome?” He was curious to hear her answer. He wanted to know what the other citizens thought, what the younger generation was looking for in the Games. Would the Games dissolve into an entertainment business with betting and fads and a way for citizens to use their money? Or would they understand the history of the Games as Benson was sure most district citizens had already forgotten?

BENSON TIERO | CAPITOL | STUART TOWNSEND